PHOENIX (AP) — A bill to reduce Arizona's big budget shortfall is halfway through the Legislature.
The Senate's 16-11 partyline vote Thursday approved majority Republicans' bill to cut General Fund spending by $74 million and sweep an additional $120 million from special-purpose funds.
The current fiscal year's budget has a $1.6 billion shortfall.
The House will start formal action on the bill Friday.
The special session began Thursday with House Democrats blocking rule suspensions to allow action on budget cuts in one day instead of the minimum three days normally required.
House Minority Leader David Lujan said lawmakers and the public needed time to review the Republicans' package. House Speaker Kirk Adams accused Democrats of delaying tactics.
